Quality Assurance Training
Resume:
MARY L. GRAVES, page * *** Loch Circle
Hampton, VA 23669
**********@***.***
SUMMARY
More than 20 years’ experience in writing, editing, desktop publishing, and public affairs,
largely for U.S. military and other government agencies and contractors.
Former U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command public affairs intern.
Ten years combined as technical writer/editor for TRADOC, U.S. Army Training Support Center,
U.S. Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Atlantic,
U.S. Air Force Air Combat Command, and U.S. Joint Forces Command.
Two years as editor/writer for NASA Langley Research Center’s biweekly tabloid newsletter.
News and feature articles published in local civilian and military newspapers.
SKILLS
Writing Expresses ideas and information succinctly and effectively.
Editing Corrects and improves grammar, rhetoric, paragraphing, punctuation, syntax, sentence structure;
selects, manipulates, and integrates images with text into visually appealing page layouts and designs;
produces professional, high-quality publications, with meticulous attention to detail.
Layout, Design, Graphics, Production Demonstrates proficiency in desktop publishing and digital imaging, using Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, FrameMaker, and Acrobat.
Bilingual Capability Possesses academic background and bachelor’s degree in Spanish.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts, Magna Cum Laude: Major Modern Languages; Minor Psychology
Christopher Newport University, Newport News, VA
Graduate, Public Affairs Officers Course and Intermediate Photojournalism Course
Defense Information School, Fort Benjamin Harrison, IN
UNDERGRADUATE HONORS
Graduated 8th in class of 227; Cumulative Grade Point Average 3.65
Alpha Chi National Honor Scholarship Society
Sigma Tau Delta National English Honor Society
EXPERIENCE
Technical Writer, 2010 (Present)
L-3 Communications, Yorktown, VA
In support of the Architecture Integration Management Division of the Training and Doctrine Command Army Capabilities Integration Center: Writes, edits, designs, formats, and reviews technical reports and documents. Designs and produces posters, brochures, programs, and other publications. Creates and maintains user guides and online help functions, specifically for the Capability-Based Architecture Development and Integration Environment and for the Architecture-Based Capability Analysis System software programs. Researches, gathers, analyzes, and composes technical information in accordance with Department of Defense and Army style guides, using software testing, screen capture graphics, and standard documentation processes within the software development lifecycle. Demonstrates and applies expert Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite, and Adobe Technical Suite skills. Performs work at Fort Eustis, VA.
Technical Writer, 2009–10
Sierra Management and Technologies, California, MD
In support of the U.S. Air Force Tactical Air Control Party-Modernization program: Implemented an Air Force-supplied, structured Adobe FrameMaker template to compile the content of a maintenance manual for a vehicular communications system to be installed in four variant mobile platforms. Applied preset text and graphics tags to manual content that was culled from commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) publications and from independent Internet research. Produced a compliant final document in FrameMaker and converted it to a portable document format (PDF) file for customer delivery. Performed work at the Chesapeake, VA, site of prime contractor, BAE Systems.
Writer/Editor, 2002–09
General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems (GDAIS), Suffolk, VA
In support of the Strategy, Plans, and Assessment Division of the Joint Warfighting Center (J7), U.S. Joint Forces Command: Wrote, designed, laid out, formatted, edited, and reviewed documents and other written and print products. Applied the highest publication standards and/or commander guidance to produce professional-quality fact sheets, pamphlets, brochures, distinguished visitor biographies, and reports. Conducted extensive Internet and internal research to provide, verify, and improve text and visual image content for all division products to be edited, including photo and graphics manipulation.
In support of the Joint Concept Development and Experimentation Directorate (J9), U.S. Joint Forces Command: Wrote, reviewed, edited, managed, and provided quality control of fact sheets, primers, reports, user manuals, student guides, computer-based training modules, and other written products. Laid out, designed, and produced such documents for final distribution. Provided editing assistance to product and concept developers, produced documents to support the directorate’s marketing plans, and evaluated written products for message consistency, effectiveness, and purpose.
In support of the GDAIS Intelligence Engineering Line of Business Proposal Development Center: Reviewed, edited, formatted, and laid out proposal-related documents, to include résumés, executive summaries, graphic elements, and review team versions of technical volumes. Implemented content and editorial changes in Microsoft Word, as directed by government customer, to meet compliance requirements.
Technical Editor, 2002 (temporary)
Science Applications International Corporation, Hampton, VA
Edited user manual for the U.S. Air Force’s theater battle management core system, unit-level program office’s Personal Computer-Integrated Intelligence and Imagery software system. Produced color trifold brochure for information dissemination in support of the system.
Instructional Designer/Technical Editor, 2001–02
Computer Sciences Corporation, Hampton, VA
At CSC’s Center of Excellence and Courseware Factory: Designed Web- and computer-based training courses for Distance Learning XXI and Wholesale Logistics Modernization Program contracts with the U.S. Army. Determined lesson content using government-furnished information and topical research; wrote and edited storyboards; and developed graphical concepts all in coordination with subject matter experts, lead designers, graphic artists, Adobe Flash integrators, and course developers. Edited storyboards, screen text, and narration, as well as the content of lessons and other project-related, Web-based presentations. Developed interactive instructional lessons using Flash, Adobe Photoshop, and Corel Paint Shop Pro for screen captures.
Technical Writer, 1999–2000
Remtech Services, Inc., Fort Eustis, Newport News, VA, and Naval Station Norfolk, VA
Based at the U.S. Army Training and Support Center, Fort Eustis, VA: Developed a user’s manual for the Army’s Reception Battalion Automated Support System, a software program used for the in-processing of new soldiers. Through software testing, wrote and formatted user guides, including screen capture graphics.
Based at Naval Station Norfolk, VA: Developed user manuals and help documentation for a Microsoft Windows-driven, Sybase PowerBuilder training system software for the U.S. Army. Through software testing and interviews with computer programmers at SPAWAR Systems Center, Tidewater Region (formerly Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station, Atlantic), wrote user documentation using Microsoft Word, Sybase PowerBuilder, and Adobe RoboHelp. Developed and implemented document templates; integrated screen-capture graphics and automated formats into final products.
Public Relations Specialist, 1998–99
Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, Williamsburg, VA
In support of this Commonwealth of Virginia agency: Wrote and distributed news releases and posters to publicize annual special events of Foundation's two living-history museums, Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center. Responded to media inquiries for event information and photography. Wrote, reviewed, and updated copy for travel publications, for sales and public relations materials, and for internal and external Foundation publications. Updated internal and external Web site marketing pages.
Editor/Writer, The Researcher News, 1996–98
Science and Technology Corporation, NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA
Edited and produced The Researcher News, the center’s biweekly newspaper for NASA employees and retirees. Wrote and edited news and feature articles, headlines, cutlines, and announcements; solicited and selected copy and photographs; scanned hard-copy photographs and manipulated electronic images; determined and implemented format and layout for each issue; and maintained the newspaper morgue.
Copy Editor/Writer, Soundings, 1993–96
Military Newspapers of Virginia, Norfolk, VA
As a copy editor and reporter for Soundings, a former local weekly tabloid newspaper that was published independently for the military community: Implemented page designs and pagination, edited all copy, and maintained electronic database and hard-copy back-up files for community and entertainment calendar listings; Researched and wrote news and feature articles for the publication.
Copy Editor/Reporter, Denbigh Neighbors staff, 1993 (temporary)
The Daily Press, Inc., Newport News, VA
As a copy editor and reporter for Neighbors, a former weekly section of the Daily Press newspaper: Researched, wrote, and edited news and feature articles and assisted in page layout and design.
Technical Writer, Quality Assurance Department, 1992–93 (temporary)
Somerville Packaging Corporation, Williamsburg Operations, Newport News, VA
Within the quality assurance department of a manufacturing plant: Wrote, edited, revised, and rewrote policies and standard operating procedures used in production processes. Researched, compiled, and created supporting documents from operations manuals, existing literature, interviews with appropriate personnel, and all available resources.
Writer/Editor, Department of the Army, 1992
Training and Doctrine Command, Fort Gordon, GA
As the government civilian editor of the Signal, the weekly post newspaper at Fort Gordon, GA: Provided news and feature article assignments to staff writers; provided technical advice and assistance to writers in acquiring, organizing, and presenting information. Performed final editorial review to ensure accuracy, adequacy, and suitability of copy for intended readership.
Public Affairs Specialist, Department of the Army, 1990–92
Headquarters, Training and Doctrine Command, Fort Monroe, VA
During this two-year, public affairs internship: Researched, wrote, and edited news and feature articles for publication in the post newspapers of forts Monroe (Casemate) and Eustis (The Wheel). Developed press releases, fact sheets, and brochures and planned and executed public information, command information, and community relations projects.
Revised August 2011
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